Celebrating International Women’s Day 2021
At Mainstream our people are the key pillar in delivering services to our clients.
Our culture is built on our values, prioritizing people to create an empowering work environment. That’s why we’re proud to support International Women’s Day 2021.
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. In 2021, their work mission is:
“To forge inclusive work cultures where women’s careers thrive and achievements are celebrated”.
We sat down with three senior managers in our business to find out why they think it’s important to have strong role models, the people who influenced them the most, and how Mainstream has supported women in the workplace.
Q&A with Amber Lo
Head of Fund Services & Country Manager, Hong Kong
How has Mentorship played a role in your career?
I’ve been fortunate to have a few great mentors, both in my professional and personal life. Some might think mentors are people who only help you to solve problems, but for me mentors are like friends. They know you and give you genuine feedback when you are not thinking clearly. They don’t necessarily provide a solution to your problems but they give you good guidance and advice and generally point you in the right direction. Throughout my career, apart from sharing their valuable experience with me, my mentors have helped me to truly understand my passion, strength and weakness.
Who is your role model and why?
I’m lucky to work with a lot of great female leaders who I’ve learnt a lot from. If I had to choose, I’d say my sister is my role model. She is a mum of a 4-year-old and a full-time businesswoman in a competitive industry. She started in the finance industry without an Ivy-league certificate or finance degree. Through hard work and dedication, she showed her capability and succeeded in holding a senior management role at a young age, in a very male-dominated market. Her confidence and continuous effort to excel is something I really try to emulate.
How has Mainstream elevated you in the workplace?
I work alongside great leaders with visions and valuable experience. I feel that my talents are recognised and my accomplishments are acknowledged. I’m given autonomy and am trusted to run the office away from HQ. My relationship with senior management makes me feel valued and this is a great motivator to continue to do my best and contribute to the company’s success.
Q&A with Barbara Purcell
Chief Executive Officer, Mainstream Fund Services, Ireland
How has Mentorship played a role in your career?
Mentorship has played a very important role in my career and something I feel very passionate about. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some wonderful and highly motivated people who cared about helping and advancing others and were willing to commit their time to investing in me and expanding my knowledge and skills.
As my career has progressed, I have acted in a mentorship role by providing advice and support to my less experienced colleagues and through this I have gained a great sense of satisfaction in seeing them progress in their respective careers.
Who is your role model and why?
My earliest role model was my Mother who provided support and encouragement and always maintained that if you work hard and get a decent education you can achieve great things.
In my work life, I don’t think I can choose any single role model but I have worked with many people in my career, both men and women, who have inspired me. I would like to think that I have taken on-board some of their positive traits and applied them to my own career as I have progressed.
My role models would always be the people who are loyal and who bring positivity and motivation to the workplace, who not only speak but listen and in particular women who champion and support other women.
How has Mainstream elevated you in the workplace?
Mainstream is an equal opportunity employer and will always promote and support the right person for the role on the basis of their experience and fit, regardless of their gender. This is clearly evident by the number of senior women in the organisation.
Q&A with Michelle Maldonado
Senior Vice President, Fund Administration and Compliance, USA
How import is it to have role models?
Having strong female role models as well as the support from men in my professional and personal life has allowed me to flourish in my career. I have been fortunate enough to have worked with leaders of organizations that have valued my talents, recognized and rewarded my accomplishments, and given me opportunities to be successful.
Who were the role models in your life?
Starting within my own family, my mother successfully raised 5 children and maintained the household, while working a part time job. It instilled in me the principles of hard work, dedication, and managing through difficult times.
In college, I had a professor in my senior year that I looked up to. She was an excellent role model for me. She was an independent, self-made businessperson, who held herself with confidence and projected the self-assurance that I wanted to emulate.
I have also been thankful for fellow female colleagues from whom I have had the privilege of working side by side and drawing from their strengths, sage advice, and helping hand.
How has Mainstream supported women in the workplace?
Work-life balance is challenging for many professionals in the fund administration industry, myself included. I joined the Mainstream team confident that I would be given the equal opportunity and resources to grow and be successful in my career while being given the flexibility to be available for my family at the same time. I haven’t had to choose one over the other and the freedom that it provides is invaluable.
